Project Overview

Type of application: Amendment

Proponent name:

Dr. Jonathan Fisher

Company:

Memorial University of Newfoundland

Schedule:

Start Date:

2017-08-08

End Date:

2017-09-05

Operation Type:

Seasonal

Project Description:

This project’s goals are to collect, analyze and report the findings from station-based and continuous plankton sampling of primary and secondary production and oceanographic conditions throughout Canada’s Northwest Passage aboard a ship of opportunity. These objectives can be achieved aboard the RRS Ernest Shackleton as it transits the Northwest Passage from east to west during late August 2016 and then meets and escorts a cruise ship (Crystal Serenity) from Ulukhaktok to Greenland via the Northwest Passage. The cruise ship is scheduled to visit the community of Ulukhaktok on August 27, 2016. This research project takes advantage of space available on the RRS Ernest Shackleton to accomplish research goals that intend to sample plankton (phytoplankton, zooplankton) from the upper water column using a small towed device (continuous plankton recorder, mesh size 0.27 mm, sampling ~3 m3 of seawater per 10 nautical miles) in order to quantify spatial variability in plankton abundance and composition. Other components of the project include measuring water temperature, salinity, depth when the ship is stopped off of Ulukhaktok and deploying a small ring net for plankton (mesh size <0.5 mm) and possibly a video camera to the seabottom. In addition to providing the first continuous collection and analyses of plankton data spanning ~5000 nm of Canada’s northern waters, this project is expected to provide an example of how new scientific ‘baseline’ information can be collected at relatively low cost aboard ships of opportunity within Canada’s changing norther waters and how that information can then be shared with northern communities interested in the drivers of local fisheries productivity as they respond to climate change.

Summary of Modifications:

This work is requested to be renewed for 2017, as the main goals could not be acheived in 2016 given the failure and loss of scientific equipment before reaching Nunavut research areas.

NORTH BAFFIN QUESTIONAIRE

s3.13.8: The applicant undertakes to prevent any new occurrences of pollution, garbage and contamination at the site of the development.

YES

Removal of Fuel Drums:

s3.13.8: The applicant undertakes to remove all drums safely from the site and dispose of the drums in a safe manner.

YES

New Site Restoration and Clean Up:

s3.13.1 and Appendix H, s1: The applicant undertakes to clean up the site and restore the site to its natural condition to the greatest extent possible.

YES

Old Site Restoration and Clean Up:

s3.13.2: The applicant undertakes to clean up the site and restore the site to its original condition to the greatest extent possible, including any work required due to the applicant's action prior to this application.

YES

Low-Level Air Flights:

Appendix H, s3: Will the applicant avoid all low-level flights?

YES

Caribou Protection Measures:

s3.3.7 and Appendix D: Will the applicant comply with the Caribou Protection Measures outlined in section 2.4.6 and in Appendix D?

YES

Caribou Water Crossings:

s3.3.7 and map: Will the applicant avoid, between may 15 and September 1, to construct any camp, cache any fuel or conduct any blasting within 10 km of any Designated Caribou Water Crossing identified

YES

Polar Bear Denning Areas and Walrus Haul-outs:

s3.3.8: Will the applicant keep its activities away from any polar bear denning area or walrus haul-out?

YES

HERITAGE RESOURCES

Reporting of Archaeological Sites:

s3.11.3 and Appendix H, s2 and s8: Will the applicant immediately report the discovery of all suspected archaeological sites to the Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth (GN)?

YES

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

Scientific Research:

s3.9.3: Does the project proposal involve scientific research?

YES

If yes, will the applicant integrate all available and relevant local and traditional knowledge when conducting its research?

YES

Consultation with Nunavut Research Institute:

s3.9.5: Has the applicant consulted with the Nunavut Research Institute about research topics that would benefit or interest local residents?

YES

i. Describe the results of your consultation.

In 2016, the NRI provided a positive screen decision on this application based on the information provided to both the NPC and NIRB.

Local Services and Local Employment:

s3.9.4: Will the applicant rely on local services and employment where possible?

NO

ii. If no, explain why it is not possible.

This research will be undertaken aboard the RRS Ernest Shackleton ship. The researchers involved will not be going ashore and the crew employed has already been established and is beyond the control of researchers. Last year, however, at least three local guides were employed aboard the vessel. I would expect the same this year.

Communication on Scientific Research:

s3.2.8: The applicant will, at minimum, translate a summary of its work into Inuktitut and communicate with communities using language that is clear and non-technical. The results of all scientific re

YES

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